Latino State News

State Rep. Susana Mendoza Wants City Clerk Position

City Clerk Miguel del Valle has joined the rising number of hopefuls looking to become the next mayor of Chicago. This, of course, will leave his position open, and State Rep. Susana Mendoza is looking to become his successor.

On Wednesday, Mendoza said that she is currently gathering the voter signatures to qualify to appear on the ballot in the February 22nd election.

“I’m not officially declaring now, but I am moving actively in that direction,” she said. “We have begun circulating [nominations] petitions.”

Last week Del Valle announced that he plans to run for mayor instead of seeking re-election as clerk. Other than mayor and treasurer, city clerk is the only office elected by city-wide vote .

At 27, Mendoza was first elected to Springfield and represents an area that includes the Little Village neighborhood, where she lives, along with parts of Brighton Park, Gage Park and Back of the Yards.

While participating in a Police Ride-along, Mendoza’s brother, was in the car when a suspect was arrested for a shooting. The shooter mistakenly thought her brother to be a snitch, and overnight, her family moved them all for fear of they would be killed.

“I grew up with the feeling that we were chased out of the city,” she said. “In my work, I have tried to create an environment where good families do not think that they have to flee the city.”